The Saudi Pro League (SPL), also known as the Roshn Saudi League for sponsorship reasons, is the top professional football league in Saudi Arabia, recognized as the premier football competition in Asia. Established in 1976, it features 18 clubs competing in a round-robin format from August to May, with the champion earning a title and qualification for the AFC Champions League Elite, while the bottom three teams face relegation. The league has a rich history, evolving from regional tournaments and the King’s Cup to a fully professional system since 2007, with Al-Hilal holding a record 19 titles.
Since 2023, the SPL has gained global attention due to significant investments from Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund, which acquired 75% stakes in top clubs Al-Hilal, Al-Nassr, Al-Ittihad, and Al-Ahli as part of the Saudi Vision 2030 initiative. This financial backing has attracted world-class stars, starting with **Cristiano Ronaldo**, whose 2023 move to Al-Nassr sparked a “revolution” in Asian football. Other prominent players include **Neymar** (Al-Hilal), **Karim Benzema** (Al-Ittihad), **Sadio Mané** (Al-Nassr), **Riyad Mahrez** (Al-Ahli), **N’Golo Kanté** (Al-Ittihad), **Rúben Neves** (Al-Hilal), and **Allan Saint-Maximin** (Al-Ahli), significantly boosting the league’s profile.
The 2024-25 season saw Al-Ittihad as the reigning champions, with Al-Hilal dominating historically. Recent highlights include Al-Hilal’s unbeaten 2023-24 season and Ronaldo’s record-breaking 35 goals, earning him the Golden Boot. The league recorded 909 goals in 2023-24, a 40% increase from the previous season, reflecting its growing competitiveness. However, challenges remain, such as concerns over the league’s two-tier structure due to uneven investment and the reliance on veteran stars, with some like Benzema facing speculation about potential exits.
With passionate fan support, vibrant tifos, and increasing global broadcasts, the SPL aims to be among the world’s top leagues by 2030, leveraging its star power and infrastructure development ahead of the 2034 World Cup.
Unai Hernandez reflected on why he left boyhood club Barcelona for Al-Ittihad, and how he’s already lifting trophies and thriving in Saudi Arabia.
Moise Kean is staying put in Europe as Fiorentina accelerate renewal talks just hours left before his release clause expires.
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang's thrilling comeback to Marseille looms, as the Ligue 1 giants eye a two-year deal amid his free agent status post-Al-Qadsiah exit
Exciting update: Roberto Firmino, former Liverpool hero, leaves Al-Ahli for Qatar's Al Sadd after key role in their AFC Champions League triumph
In a high-stakes pursuit, Saudi giants Al-Hilal are battling to secure Fiorentina's dynamic striker Moise Kean before his €52m release clause expires soon
Star defender Lucas Vazquez snubs La Liga, eyeing a thrilling Mourinho reunion at Fenerbahce or a Qatar adventure!
Exciting transfer: Mateo Retegui, Serie A's top scorer, is heading to Al-Qadsiah in Saudi Arabia after Atalanta accepts a massive bid!
Excitement mounts as Marseille eyes a blockbuster move for Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang to join Mason Greenwood! The 36-year-old, leaving Al-Qadsiah soon as a free agent, could supercharge their attack
Star defender Theo Hernandez has stunned fans by joining Al-Hilal, ending his six-year Milan stint with a fiery Instagram critique, blasting the club's fading ambition and core values
